The core game line up is Retro Affect’s side-scrolling puzzler Snapshot; The Binding of Isaac, a rogue-like top-down shooter from Team Meat’s Edmund McMillen plus its expansion Wrath of the Lamb; black-and-white puzzler Closure, which snaffled a DICE prize last year; and Klei’s Shank 2.

You’ll also get a copy of the documentary Indie Game: The Movie, which tells the story of Super Meat Boy, Braid and Fez, and soundtracks for all six of the featured games.

Six? I hear you ask, staring at your fingers in mathematical puzzlement. Indeed: if you pony up more than the average price – currently $6.14 – you’ll get a copy of first-person, turn-based dungeon crawler The Legend of Grimrock and cross-platform multiplayer flagship Dungeon Defenders.

As ever, purchasers set their own price, and can choose how their contribution is split across developers, the Humble Bundle itself, and a charity – the EFF and Child’s Play are in the spotlight this time around.

All games are offered DRM free and cross-platform for Linux, Mac and PC. Go ye and obtain.

Thanks, worntreads.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2012/12/19/humble-bundle-7-out-now-chockers-with-great-games/feed/2Closure 66% off in next PS Store updatehttp://www.vg247.com/2012/10/30/closure-66-off-in-next-ps-store-update/
http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/30/closure-66-off-in-next-ps-store-update/#respondTue, 30 Oct 2012 06:12:47 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=311270Hey, you know what’s going to be on sale this week? Closure’s going to be on sale this week. The black and white indie puzzler is another of Sony’s indie love affairs, and can be yours for as little as $5 from tomorrow, according to the PS Blog. It’s won plenty of critical praise and a couple of rewards, and the fine folk at Eyebrow Interactive only want you to love it as you quietly terrify yourself on Halloween. Consider obliging them.
]]>http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/30/closure-66-off-in-next-ps-store-update/feed/0Closure’s European PSN release stymied by developer’s “inexperience”http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/29/closures-european-psn-release-stymied-by-developers-inexperience/
http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/29/closures-european-psn-release-stymied-by-developers-inexperience/#commentsWed, 29 Aug 2012 02:50:59 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=291166Closure developer Eyebrow Interactive has said the puzzle platformer’s long, continuing European delay is its own fault.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Eyebrow’s Tyler Glaiel said the delay was not the fault of either the US or European arms of Sony Computer Entertainment.

“[The delay] was a lot of inexperience on our part and not knowing what to expect. Sony didn’t do anything in particular to delay it,” he said.

SCEA and SCEE function as distinct business units, meaning developers have to approach and conduct business with both arms in order to have a game published in both regions. Glaiel said Eyebrow focused on SCEA because the team was offered a showcase spot in March and had to scurry to meet the deadline. Organising a European release fell to the wayside a little as a result.

“I didn’t think it was going to take that long to get the European version done. I figured that it would take around the same amount of time or a little quicker than it took us to get stuff done with SCEA,” Glaiel explained.

On top of that, the team had to work around timezone differences; the process of securing publishing and a PEGI rating takes a lot of emailing back and forth, and Glaiel noted that an exchange of eight emails can take a week when the conversationalists are on different continents, instead of a single day.

The European version is nearly complete, and Glaiel said it will likely be released by the end of the year. Nevertheless, he said that while he doesn’t regret publishing on PlayStation, he’s focused on the Steam version for now.

“Most people say Steam is the way to go right now. We knew how much we were selling on PSN in North America and it wasn’t quite as much as we were hoping for, so we really needed to make sure we could get the Steam release going,” he said.

Eyebrow intends to change the price of the PlayStation network release to match that of Steam, which he feels may help flagging PSN sales, but called Steam “a more promising platform”, although he had nothing but good things to say about Sony.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/29/closures-european-psn-release-stymied-by-developers-inexperience/feed/1Closure heading to Steam, PS3 EU release ‘still possible’http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/23/closure-heading-to-steam-ps3-eu-release-still-possible/
http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/23/closure-heading-to-steam-ps3-eu-release-still-possible/#commentsThu, 23 Aug 2012 07:26:36 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=289432Closure, the freaky black and white PSN puzzler is heading to Steam following critical acclaim on PS3 in the States. The PC version will come with difference over the console build, and there is still no word on a PSN Europe launch. Yet.

The Steam announcement was leaked in a Basement Collection press release issued by Team Meat’s Edmund McMillen.

Closure creator Tyler Glaiel – who also worked on the Basement Collection – told Eurogamer that the Steam build will run in any resolution and will deliver both audio commentary and mod support. Dev tools will come packaged with the game for modders to use, but Glaiel warned they are not user friendly.

Glaiel said of the lack of PSN Europe release, “The PS3 EU version is missing because it was taking far too long to get the details for that worked out, and we decided we should focus on the PC launch instead since that will be global. It still may come out on the EU PSN eventually.”

Fans of Limbo should check out Closure, s the games are thematically similar. Here’s the official Closure site.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2012/02/14/indie-games-challenge-winners-announced/feed/0Closure trailer shows how to manipulate light in the puzzle-platformerhttp://www.vg247.com/2011/08/25/closure-trailer-shows-how-to-manipulate-light-in-the-puzzle-platformer/
http://www.vg247.com/2011/08/25/closure-trailer-shows-how-to-manipulate-light-in-the-puzzle-platformer/#commentsThu, 25 Aug 2011 20:16:48 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=198468Tyler Glaiel, lead designer and programmer on Eyebrow Interactive’s Closure, has posted a short video of the PSN game over on the PS Blog.

The game is a puzzle-platformer which uses the concept of light and shadow, where the only things that exist are “what you can see.” So for instance, if an object has enough light on it, it’s physically there. If not, it ‘ceases to be”. Player will take advantage of the light and dark by manipulating lights to “effectively change the shape of the world you’re in,”.

Closure, which started life as a web game in 2000, will include around 100 puzzles, new mechanics, multiple characters with different stories, and more when it releases in spring 2012.

Check out the game at PAX this weekend at booth 599, if you are attending, and watch the video below.

Anonymous Twitterati Veracious Shit says D&D daggerdale developer Bedlam Games has been closed. Joystiq‘s sources agree. No official statement, and not a lot of activity on LinkedIn, so could be sound and fury – let’s hope so.

Siliconera turned up some info – and even screens – on a cancelled Gremlins game.

According to Kotaku‘s translation of a GDash report, Game Republic has closed down its website and vacated its office space, suggesting it’s gone under.

Most Japanese game companies would issue a press release on closing down, even in dire financial straits. There are said to be rumours design lead Yoshiki Okamoto has left Japan ahead of massive debts.

Game Republic acquired an unfair reputation after Sony’s disastrous presentation at E3 2006, in which a Sony rep nonchalantly kicked off the giant enemy crab meme while demonstrating Genji: Days of the Blade.

The developer’s other well-known titles include early PlayStation 3 titles Folklore and Dark Mist.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/16/report-game-republic-quietly-shutting-down/feed/11Pi Studios reported closed, staff join Category 6, new title already on the wayhttp://www.vg247.com/2011/03/31/pi-studios-reported-closed-staff-join-category-6-new-title-already-on-the-way/
http://www.vg247.com/2011/03/31/pi-studios-reported-closed-staff-join-category-6-new-title-already-on-the-way/#commentsThu, 31 Mar 2011 21:25:49 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=160178Work-for-hire developer Pi Studios has reportedly shut up shop, with former staffers legging it for the newly-formed Category 6, already at work on its first original IP.

Sources told Big Download the Texas studio had been closed a few weeks ago.

Attempts to contact the developer failed, as the phone seemed to have been disconnected. Not a good sign.

In the meantime, a number of former PI employees had joined Category 6, co-founded by ex-PI staffer Kenn Hoekstra.

Hoekstra told Big Download that a team of fifteen was already at work on an Unreal-based survival horror called Blackout, for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Pi Studios were part of multiple collaborations, including the Wii and PS2 versions of Rock Band; 2009’s Wolfenstein; the PC port of Halo 2; and multiple Call of Duty titles.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2011/03/31/pi-studios-reported-closed-staff-join-category-6-new-title-already-on-the-way/feed/1Hudson bids farewell as Konami merger completeshttp://www.vg247.com/2011/03/30/farewell-hudson/
http://www.vg247.com/2011/03/30/farewell-hudson/#commentsWed, 30 Mar 2011 22:30:54 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=159890Hudson has sent a sad little tweet thanking fans for their support over the years – and saying goodbye.

It said: “Dear Hudson fans. Thanks for your support for all these years! We’ll be closing our account tomorrow.”

Hudson was founded in May 1973 by the Kudo brothers, Yuji and Hiroshi, having begun as a shop selling art photographs and telecommunications devices. It wouldn’t be until 1983, when it started developing games, before it would see the birth of its well-known series: Bomberman. Hudson also made the Adventure Island series.

Hudson also ported Super Mario titles and Donkey Kong 3 plus more to other platforms for Nintendo.

In 2005, Konami bought a majority share in Hudson before announcing in January this year it was to fully absorb it into the company. The main goal for the merger is for Hudson’s experience in mobile and social gaming after the debut of Viva! Mall.

Take a few moments to think fondly of all those Bomberman sessions over the years, and join us in wishing former Hudson-ites all the best.

Tron: Evolution developer Propaganda Games has closed its doors for good today, Disney Interactive has confirmed to Joystiq.

“Disney Interactive Studios confirms the closure of its Vancouver-based internal game development studio, Propaganda Games,” the official statement read.

“The studio has completed all work associated with its most recent project.”

Since the cancelation of its Pirates of the Caribbean title, Propaganda’s only known activity has been the development of the Tron Legacy tie-in and expected DLC. It’s not yet clear whether further DLC has been shelved or is complete pending release.

Tough financial conditions generally are thought to be to blame for the closure, although no statement’s been issued by the team as yet.

Update: MCV publisher Intent’s taken on Group publisher David Lilley and events director Anju Chadda “to work on new projects.” Other staff from Skep, In Stock’s publisher, have also been offered jobs at the firm. More here.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2008/11/10/uk-retail-mag-in-stock-folds/feed/0Microsoft to close Ensemble after Halo Wars’ completionhttp://www.vg247.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-to-close-ensemble-after-halo-wars-completion/
http://www.vg247.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-to-close-ensemble-after-halo-wars-completion/#commentsWed, 10 Sep 2008 05:13:51 +0000http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-to-close-ensemble-after-halo-wars-completion/Update: There a copy of an email sent round to MGS staff this morning from Phil Spencer here.

Microsoft has confirmed it is to close Age of Empires developer Ensemble Studios following the completion of Halo Wars.

Shacknews originally broke the story as a rumour, but Microsoft released a statement confirming the move overnight.

And here it is:

Microsoft has decided to close Ensemble Studios following the completion of Halo Wars. After the closure, the Ensemble leadership team will form a new studio and has agreed to provide ongoing support for Halo Wars as well as work on other projects with Microsoft Game Studios.

The team at Ensemble has made invaluable contributions to the games industry with their Age of Empires and Age of Mythology games and with the highly anticipated release of Halo Wars. This decision does not reflect at all on Ensembles talent or the quality of Halo Wars. in fact, many people who have had a chance to test drive Halo Wars agree that it is on track to being a fantastic game.

This was a fiscally-rooted decision that keeps MGS on its growth path. While the decision to dissolve Ensemble was not an easy one, Microsoft is working to place as many Ensemble employees who do not move to the newly formed studio into open positions within Microsoft as possible.

As to our overall strategy at MGS, it remains the same. We are committed to growing MGS with world-class talent both internally and with our external partners around the globe. We have recently added some well-known developers to our team and will continue growing the team. Were particularly excited about the titles we have in the pipeline and continue to evaluate additional opportunities to bring incredible games to life with the industry’s best. Our investment in games has never been greater than it is today.

Well. There we are then.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-to-close-ensemble-after-halo-wars-completion/feed/7Activision confirms Underground Development closurehttp://www.vg247.com/2008/04/19/activision-confirms-underground-development-closure/
http://www.vg247.com/2008/04/19/activision-confirms-underground-development-closure/#respondSat, 19 Apr 2008 09:36:34 +0000http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/04/19/activision-confirms-underground-development-closure/According to this GI report, Activision is definitely closing Underground Development after it finished the PS3 port of Quake Wars, as was rumoured last night.

“Activision is closing its Foster City development studio which had less than 45 employees,” said an Activision spokesperson. “We are currently making efforts to find opportunities for all employees at other Activision studios.”

According to this Develop report, Activision may be about to close Underground Developments, the team currently working on the PS3 version of Quake Wars. From the piece:

One of Activision’s internal development teams, the California-based Underground Developments, is to be closed according reports emerging today.

Details sent to Develop this morning echo a report by industry gossip blogger Surfer Girl from last night which claimed the studio will be shut down at the end of the month once work on the PS3 version of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is done.

Following a story last night rumouring a closure of Sega’s UK Racing Studio’s Sega has confirmed the move.

“Regrettably Sega today announced that it is to commence consultation regarding the unfortunate closure of the Sega Racing Studio in Birmingham, UK,” the company told Next-Gen.

“The decision is part of a review of Sega’s Western Development Studios to ensure that each studio is a profitable entity in its own right, and unfortunately the Sega Racing Studio’s 5 year plan would not result in a successful return for the Sega business moving forward. Sega would like to stress that there will be no changes within their other internal development studios.”

Racing Studio was responsible for last year’s Sega Rally, a project that proved to be its one and only game.